Public school advocates call for funding changes

HARRISBURG — Advocates for Pennsylvania public schools are demanding more money and a fairer funding formula.

Leaders of statewide groups including school boards, administrators and business officials Tuesday released a survey they commissioned that shows majorities of voters believe public schools affect the economy and that school funding should be increased.

Jim Buckheit of the school administrators’ group says Pennsylvania’s public education funding lags the national average even though schools are critical to a strong economy.

Gov. Tom Corbett is proposing a 3 percent increase in school aid for the year that starts July 1, including a $340 million grant program that gives schools flexibility in improving student achievement.

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Jay Himes of the school business officials’ group says the present school funding formula results in an unpredictable distribution of state money.